The Message of Pope Leo XIV for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, whose 6th edition will be celebrated on Sunday, 26 July 2026, is «I will never forget you (Is 49:15)».
In the text, the Holy Father reminds us that the Lord knows each of our faces and that his love never fails, not even in the frailty of old age. The Day, writes Pope Leo XIV, « is an opportunity to rediscover that the Church is called to be a mother to all and that at any age it is always possible to recognize ourselves as sons and daughters of God ». Addressing the elderly directly, the Pope encourages them not to fear weakness – « do not be afraid of fragility! » – and to recognize in it a true vocation to prayer and reconciliation, asking them to pray earnestly « that peace may soon come to the whole world ».
Read the Pope's Message: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/grandparents/documents/20260615-messaggio-nonni-anziani.html
Resources to share to promote the Day in local churches
The pastoral kit is available on the website of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life. All materials are freely downloadable and are useful for sharing and promoting the Day in preparation for celebrations in parishes and dioceses, at the local, national, or international level.
( source from: https://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/news/2026/messaggio-di-papa-leone-xiv-per-la-vi-giornata-mondiale-dei-nonn.html )
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